Halloween as we know it today is celebrated in many western countries on 31st October, but did you know it was not always what the celebrations of today were like or originally about?
The origin can be traced back to Britain, Ireland and Northern France. Until 2,000 years ago the Celts lived and farmed these countries and it was their festival of Samhain which over time became Halloween.Samhain – traditionally began on 01st November, pronounced sow-in – was a festival that marked the end of summer and the harvest season.On Samhain they believed that on this night the door between this world and the next was open and spirits could pass through. So, on the night of October 31st the dead could supposedly mingle with the living. Large bonfires were lit in each village to ward off evil spirits. The Celts wore costumes, mainly consisting of animal heads and skins.
Then with the arrivals of the Romans into Europe, they integrated many of their own celebrations into existing Celtic ones. Two Roman festivals were combined with Samhain.
The first was Feralia, a late October tradition, where they celebrated the passing of the dead.
The second day was to honour Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees, her symbol being an apple, which may explain our Halloween ‘bobbing’ for apples.
As the Romans moved out, in moved the Saxons followed by the Christians. Christianity spread into the Celtic lands where it also merged it traditions with the Celtic festivals.
It was Pope Gregory who had the date of the ‘All Hallows’ feast moved to 1st November, attempting to replace the Celtic Samhain with a church celebration of the dead.
Therefore, giving us Hallow Eve, later Hallowe’en and finally Halloween!!!!
Although celebrated in America it was very limited, the arrival of Irish immigrants helped to popularise Halloween. It was thought that by wearing a mask after dark, if anyone met a ghost they couldn’t be recognised and by leaving food outside their homes, it would please them and stop them entering their homes.
Thus, starts the modern-day Halloween. Trick or Treat, fancy dress, Halloween theme parties, pumpkins (sorry – we did it first with Turnips or Swedes) and those scary movies that we make ourselves watch even when we don’t want to, just because we like to frighten ourselves, even if some of us watch from behind a cushion.
If you’re out with family and friends, this Halloween Trick or Treating – remember have fun but stay safe!!
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